JCD666

There's no shortage of hot rod builders in California, but sometimes it's the lesser known ones that were doing something really great, and Randy Spooner was just one such guy. While other guys were designing rides to get magazine covers, Randy was focused on building traditional hot rods that were meant to be driven. For about three decades, Randy's small shop in Fresno, California, turned out quite a few hand built drivers that any hot rodder would be proud to own. No garage queens or show circuit belles here - just down and dirty, old school hot rods meant to rack up the miles.

Released in October 1992, Grave Dancers Union is the sixth studio album by American alternative rock band Soul Asylum. The record spent 76 weeks on the US music charts and was certified triple-platinum in 1993, establishing the band as one of the most successful rock bands of the first half of the '90s. The single "Runaway Train" was released in June 1993, reaching number five on the charts and winning best rock song the following year. Though the record had sold moderately well to that point, the breakout success of that single was a major factor in the album's eventual multi-platinum sales figures.

I guess this is what a Texas cowcat would look like? Meowdy, y'all!

A chrome cyber knight with a rocket powered guitar in freakin' space? Yes, please! In Rock We Trust is the sixth studio album by American hard rock/heavy metal band Yesterday & Today, released in 1984. The album became the band's highest charting album at the time, reaching No. 46 on the Top 200 chart. Yesterday & Today formed as a cover band in 1972 in Oakland, California, with the lineup that would record the first album being cemented in 1974.

Plaza Garibaldi, nestled in the heart of Mexico City, is a vibrant epicenter of Mariachi music and Mexican culture. Adorned with colorful facades and lively murals, the plaza pulsates with the soulful melodies of trumpets, violins, and guitars. Mariachi bands clad in charro outfits serenade audiences with impassioned performances, creating an atmosphere brimming with energy and emotion. This iconic square serves as a melting pot where musicians, artisans, and spectators converge in celebration of Mexico's musical heritage, making it a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.

The 720 pickup was Datsun’s first foray into the 4-wheel drive mini-truck market in both long bed and extra-cab variants. It was introduced as a 1980 model and continued until 1986 when the Hardbody style (model D-21) was introduced as a 1986.5 model. Prior models of Datsun mini-trucks were the 521 and 620 which did not offer a 4-wheel drive option. The 720 featured an independent front suspension with torsion bar springs, a leaf spring live axle rear suspension, and a 4 cylinder engine displacing 2.0 liters at introduction, later enlarged to 2.4 liters. The manual transmission on the 720 drove a divorced transfer case that required extra clearance over a married setup, resulting in the 720 4×4 models having a lifted look and riding higher.

Capsela was a construction toy system consisting primarily of gears and motors in spherical plastic capsules that can be connected to form various static or dynamic toys suitable for both land or water. The capsules typically have six hollow octagonal connectors protruding, where an octagonal sleeve piece bridges between two capsules. The hollow connection pegs on a capsule can have electrical or rotary adapters inside, reaching into the next capsule. There are electric motor capsules, gear capsules, switch capsules, pontoon capsules, and others. There are also battery holders, wheels, propellers, impellers, lights, wires, and miscellaneous supporting pieces.

Headquartered in Grand Prairie, Texas, Arnold Transportation Services was a full service truckload carrier that billed themselves as 'the original regional carrier.' Arnold’s foundation in regional service was established in 1932, and would go on to provide irregular route truckload service, dedicated solutions and logistics support. With operations strategically concentrated in the South Central and Midwest states, the company consistently created capacity for its customers in and around major markets. After 92 years in business, Arnold Transportation Services had 341 truck drivers and 402 power units when they suddenly shut down in 2024.

Xenon is a sci-fi/cyberpunk themed pinball machine released in 1980 that marked a significant milestone in pinball technology and design. Advances in microchip technology provided new opportunities for sound design and effects, including what would become the first talking pinball table with a female voice. The seductive gynoid voice says things like "try Xeeeeenon" in attract mode, and responds to bumper hits with "oooh" and "aaah" moans during gameplay. Xenon's blue lighting gave the game a futuristic cyberpunk vibe.

Who doesn't love a hug? Ok, lots of people. And most cats. But this early '80s iron on design is much more optimistic, and thinks everyone should have a hug, even if it's from yourself.

Time Travelers opened their doors at 1511 2nd Avenue in Downtown Seattle back in 1977 with a focus on everything that parents hate, and it was truly glorious. With a perfect mix of punk records, skateboards, weird comic books, and t-shirts to go along with all of the above, Time Travelers had it all. This was a unique space for the kids who either didn't fit in with the mainstream, or simply didn't want to. Time Travelers managed to exist in what is considered prime real estate nowadays throughout the '80s and into the '90s before exorbitant rent increases made the store's very existence an impossibility.

If you grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania in the late '60s, you may recall catching the late night horror program, Weirdo Theater, on the weekend. Airing on WJET 24 every Saturday night at 11:15 PM, Weirdo Theater was the place to be to catch low-budget horror films and B movies. Unlike some other regional horror showcases, Weirdo Theater didn't make use of a horror host, instead relying on title cards and occasional voiceovers coming in and out of breaks.

In the early '90s, the Seattle grunge sound went worldwide, and this Ducks Not Dead design came along for the ride. Whether you love punk rock, angry ducks, grunge music, or just really despise jam bands, this one is for you!

Beltel was the name used by the South African Department of Posts and Telecommunications for its Videotex system between 1984 and 1999. The system used telephone lines and modems connected to personal computers or to dumb terminals which had built in modems. Beltel incorporated a billing system which enabled service providers to receive payment for information and services provided to users. The billing system was capable of handling very small transactions, referred to as micro-billing. Today, all the functionality of the Beltel system, and more, is delivered by smartphone. Videotex (or interactive videotex) was one of the earliest implementations of an end-user information system from the late 1970s to early 2010s.

The Jiger was the first production all-terrain vehicle (ATV) ever produced. It was a six-wheeled amphibious ATV with differential steering via separate throttle control of its dual (left vs. right) chainsaw engines. The first Jigers were built-to-order in 1961 by JGR Gunsport in Toronto and were mass-produced by Jiger Corporation beginning in 1965. Despite strong demand, production of the Jiger ended in 1968 due to financial issues, with around, 3300 Jigers being built. An investment group bought Jiger out of receivership, renaming the company Versatrek, and continued to produce Jiger ATVs until 1971 when they too folded.

The Wiz is a 1978 American musical fantasy adventure film directed by Sidney Lumet. Adapted from the 1974 Broadway musical of the same name, the film reimagines the classic 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum with an African-American cast. Dorothy, a 24-year-old teacher from Harlem, finds herself magically transported to the urban fantasy Land of Oz. On her travels seeking help from the mysterious Wiz, Dorothy befriends a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion. Critics panned The Wiz upon its October 1978 release, agreeing that what had worked so successfully on stage simply did not translate well to the screen. The project was a commercial failure, as the $24 million production only earned $13.6 million.

ChicagoFest was a summer music festival established in 1978 in Chicago, Illinois. It was a two-week event held annually at Navy Pier that featured sixteen stages, each sponsored by a national brand and a local radio station sponsor, that broadcasted live from their respective stages. The stages were: Rock, Classic Rock, Country, Blues, Comedy, Roller Disco, Pin Ball Arcade, Jazz, Children's, Variety, Ethnic, as well as a main stage seating 30,000. There were approximately 600 live performances by headline artists each year, making ChicagoFest an extremely popular event. The festival moved to Soldier Field in 1983, but sadly, lost a lot of the magic that came with it being on the water at Navy Pier, so that would be the final ChicagoFest.

The Magic School Bus was an animated educational children's television series, based on the book series of the same name. Originally broadcast from 1994 to 1997, the series received critical acclaim for its use of celebrity voice talent, as well as combining entertainment with an educational series. Episodes follow the eccentric and mysterious teacher, Ms. Frizzle, as she embarks on adventures with her eight students on the eponymous school bus. As they journey on their exciting field trips, they discover locations, creatures, time periods, and more to learn about the wonders of science along the way.

"Make love, not war" is an anti-war slogan commonly associated with the American counterculture of the 1960s. It was used primarily by those who were opposed to the Vietnam War, but has been invoked in other anti-war contexts since, around the world. The "make love" part of the slogan often referred to the practice of free love that was growing among the American youth, who denounced marriage as a tool for those who supported war and favored the traditional capitalist culture. While some soldiers sported the counterculture version, others went with ''make war, not love."

In 1953, Al Berger opened up The Burger Bar in downtown San Jose, creating a popular spot for college students to grab a bite. Over the next few years, Al opened up two more locations. In 1956, he opened the first Burger Pit in Cupertino that featured a charcoal fired grill. The Burger Pit was a hit, and Al opened more than 25 locations throughout the San Jose area over the years where folks could get their charcoal broiled Steerburgers and flat-iron steaks. In the mid-80s, most of the locations were sold to a national fast food chain, but Al kept the primary location on Blossom Hill Road, leaving his son to run the show after retiring in 1986. The Burger Pit enjoyed a run of over 70 years before sadly closing their doors in 2024.

The Allman Brothers Band rose to prominence due to their unique blend of musical genres, captivating dual guitar performances, and unmatched stage presence, solidifying their status as one of the most influential rock bands of their era. Formed in the early 1970s under the leadership of Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, and several other talented musicians, the band played a pivotal role in defining the Southern rock sound and pushing the boundaries of the jam genre. Throughout their career, which was marked by both adversity and success, the Allman Brothers Band produced numerous hit songs that left a lasting impact on the music industry.

The Double Deuce is a fictional roadhouse bar and dance hall located in the very real town of Jasper, Missouri from the 1989 film, Roadhouse. The movie's plot centers around James Dalton, a laconic, but lethal bouncer known to be the best in the business. With his reputation preceding him, Dalton is hired to clean up the baddest honkytonk in a Missouri town. Armed with a black belt in karate and a degree in philosophy, Dalton sets out to tame the Double Deuce for its owner.

Standard Automotive Manufacturing Company was founded in 1952 in Los Angeles, California by Aaron Fenton. He jumped in with both feet as the hot rod craze took off, making everything from headers, cams, and air cleaners, to heads, intakes, shifters, and wheels, all sold under the brand name of Fenton. While many of their products were clearly knock-offs of other popular aftermarket parts, they did make a few original designs here and there. As a result, Fenton’s products were usually noticeably cheaper than the brand name version, especially when it came to custom wheels and by the ’70s, wheels were their primary focus.

The AC Spark Plug Company was founded on October 26, 1908 by Albert Champion and William C. Durant in Flint, Michigan. As the company name might suggest, the duo design and manufactured spark plugs for a variety of applications, with their biggest sales channel being an OEM provider for Detroit's burgeoning automotive industry. By the late '20s, AC was making more than just plugs, adding various small electrical components to their catalog. It was at this time that one of the big three purchased AC, making them an exclusive manufacturer supporting their brands, and leaving the other 'big two' to find new suppliers. This '60s era cool cat design was used to promote AC's plugs as an aftermarket replacement in speed shops and parts stores.

1982's Poltergeist centers around a typical suburban family who are visited by unseen spirits in their California home. At first, the supernatural guests seem friendly as they move objects around the house to the amusement of everyone, but then things take a dark turn. The ghosts reveal themselves to be evil, and begin to terrorize the family before ultimately kidnapping the young daughter and taking her to the other side...

Enduro Racer (エンデューロレーサー) is an arcade racing game that was released in 1986 with two arcade cabinet versions — a stand-up cabinet with handlebars and a full-sized sit-on dirt bike cabinet. It is often seen as a dirt racing version of Hang-On, as it uses a similar engine and PCB, and was ported to consoles and home computers as well. Based on the sport of Enduro, players ride a dirt bike through seven stages, which have elevation changes and turns, and must avoid other riders as well as logs and boulders. Controls for the game are based on a motorcycle's handlebars, with a throttle and brake control. Players can pull up the handlebars on the cabinet to perform a wheelie, and also jump logs on the track.

A Flight to Lowlands Paradise was a music and arts festival held on November 24-25, 1967 in Utrecht, Netherlands. Organized by Utrecht-based artist and painter Bunk Bessels, the festival took place in the Margriethal of Jaarbeurs. The entry fee was 10 Dutch guilders (approximately $4.80), which included breakfast, plus access to the event. The 18-hour-long festival had no top music acts, but include experimental theater, dancing, poetry, films, body painting and massage. On December 28, 1968, a second Flight to Lowlands Paradise was held, postponed by a month from its original date of November 23 in an attempt to get a major headliner to sign on to the event. While several did sign on, each cancelled for one reason or another.

Gruppe 6, formally Gruppe Sechs, is a fictional entity from the GTA Universe that provides private security services. With a fleet of armored trucks and armed security personnel, Gruppe 6 helps major corporate clients move gold, cash, and other valuables on the streets with protection that local law enforcement is unable to reliably deliver.

Black Cat is a comic book adventure series that ran from 1941 to 1951. The stories center around Linda Turner, daughter of a movie star and stuntwoman, who became one of Hollywood's biggest stars, and got bored with make-believe life in Hollywood. When she came across a plot by a German spy, she realized she could help her country and have fun by taking on the identity of The Black Cat. She has no superpowers but is whip smart, a skilled fighter, knows karate and acrobatics, and is good with javelin and lariat. Assisted by Rick Horne, a reporter for the Los Angeles Daily Globe, and her sidekick Black Kitten, Black Cat was Hollywood's most glamorous detective star!

Established in November 1966, The Black Cat Tavern was a gay bar located in Los Angeles, California's Silver Lake neighborhood. Two months later, on New Year's Eve, several plainclothes LAPD officers infiltrated the tavern. After arresting several patrons for kissing, the undercover officers began beating several revelers, ultimately arresting fourteen patrons for assault and public lewdness. With no resolve for those wrongfully attacked and arrested, a civil demonstration of over 200 people to protest the raids was held on February 11 outside The Black Cat Tavern. This was one of the first demonstrations in the U.S. protesting police brutality against members of the LGBT community, preceding the Stonewall riots by over two years.

In the '70s, Americans smoked weed that came from south of the border, commonly Columbia. This cannabis was far less potent than today’s, as imported weed was a mixture of leaves, stems, flowers, and other plant parts, plus it lost much of its potency on the journey. The low quality product is what lead to home grown marijuana in the hills of Northern California and Southern Oregon in the '80s. This home grown cottage industry flourished, providing much of the product for the nation’s cannabis users by 1985. Quality, and likewise, potency, of American cannabis would continue to rise from here, as locally grown American weed contained less filler, and more flower, and focused on the curation of the unique strains available today.

Based loosely on David Morrell's 1972 novel of the same name, First Blood was the first of the Rambo films, and the sequels which were war adventure films set abroad, First Blood was a post-Vietnam psychological thriller set in America. It's a serious, dark, movie with a somber tone and a sympathetic lead character you can't help but support. From excessive violence and over the top explosions to unlimited ammunition and high body counts, most everything that Rambo is known for nowadays is completely absent in the original film.

In 1972, Mill Jennings sold his gas station to Billy Carter, brother of President Jimmy Carter. It became an important landmark in the history of Plains, Georgia in 1976 when Billy’s station became famous nationwide, as journalists covering Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign made it their headquarters. In 1981 Billy sold the station to his son-in-law, and in 2008, it became the Billy Carter Museum. During its heyday, you could find Billy running the show, and his step side shop truck parked on site, which featured his CB handle, 'Cast Iron' prominently on the doors.

In the early '70s, racing fuels hit the market from several major petroleum refineries to meet the needs of various motorsports. As increasingly higher performance racing engines were developed with higher compression ratios, they needed higher octane fuel to operate. Octane is one of the most significant differences between racing fuel and standard pump gas. The fuel at the corner gas station ranges from 87 to 93 octane, but racing fuel ranges from 100 to 120 octane. While the big brands focused on a few standard blends, indie outfits like Randy's Racing Fuels popped up to create custom blends. After perfecting their 'Formula 69' base, they proceeded to develop the perfect blend of secret spices to give their racing fuels the edge.

Movie Gallery opened as a small specialty video store in 1985 in Dothan, Alabama. The next five years saw them grow to about 50 stores, but tn the '90s, an aggressive expansion strategy saw the chain become one of the biggest video rental operations in the U.S., with over 950 locations. In the early 2000s, Movie Gallery was the second-largest rental chain in the U.S. and Canada, with over 4,700 stores worldwide. Despite the company's meteoric rise, by the end of the decade, digital downloads and streaming had taken their toll on video rental stores, and Movie Gallery was not immune. In April 2010, the company was headed into bankruptcy, and began liquidating all of its stores... the last Movie Gallery locations were closed in August 2010.

Upon their formation in 1982 in Jonquière, Quebec, Canada, Voivod primarily played speed metal heavily influenced by late 70s metal bands. The group would play their first live show (Later released as the demo Anachronism) on June 25, 1983 in Saguenay, and release another demo in January 1984 entitled To The Death! before getting signed. The band’s thrash-based debut, War and Pain, was released on August 10, 1984, followed by Rrröööaaarrr in 1986. Killing Technology is their third studio album that was released in 1987 and was the first to combine elements of progressive rock to the band's thrash metal sound, revealing a new sound influenced more by hardcore punk and crossover than metal, and had estimated sales of more than 60,000.